Lin NormanHot chicken rules the Nashville food scene. That’s why finding an authentic Italian meal that hits the spot can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
We got tired of these hit-or-miss dining experiences, so we decided it was time to raise our standards. Channeling our most critical inner Nonna, we put our stomachs on the line to find the real deal.
After judging countless wood-fired pizzas, sharing family-style platters, and eating enough garlic to keep vampires away for a decade, we’ve finally separated the authentic Neapolitan masters from the cheap imitations.
Slow-simmered sauces and hand-pulled noodles wait for you in this guide to the standout Italian tables in Nashville.
How much does eating at an Italian restaurant cost in Nashville?
A typical meal for two at a mid-range Italian eatery will set you back around $60 to $75 before drinks and tips, while casual chain-style dining offers lower entry prices.
| Dining Category | Average Cost |
| Casual / Chain-style Entree | $16 – $25 |
| Mid-range Main Course | $20 – $30+ |
| Meal for Two (Mid-range) | $60 – $75 |
1. Il Forno
Website: https://www.ilfornowoodfired.com/
Address: 1414 3rd Avenue South
Contact: (615)-739-6713 | [email protected]
Schedule:
- Wed-Thurs 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Fri 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sat 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sun 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Chef Egidio Franciosa leads the kitchen at Il Forno, translating his native Italian background directly to the menu. What started as a food truck in 2017 has grown into this permanent spot in Wedgewood-Houston thanks to a loyal local crowd.
I recently grabbed a table for some wood-fired pizza, and the flavors from the imported Fior Di Latte and rich white truffle oil really stood out.
Plus, the menu goes way past pizza. You can also dig into plates like delicate Octopus Carpaccio and hearty Lamb Ragu Fettuccine. Just remember to check the calendar before heading over, as they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Their dining room also features high metal ceilings that bounce sound around, so quiet conversation gets pretty tough during the busy dinner rush.
Customer Reviews
Delicious
meatballs and gnocchi tasted delicious, not too salty and just tasted like home-made, sauce wasnt too ‘heavy’. pizza was great as well. service was great given they were busy. pricy spot. decor was romantic/intimate with dim lighting.
- Aлеksanдp Han | Google Review
First time at this restaurant and it did not disappoint. The staff was very nice even with wait times and people piling in the door. We ordered Rigatoni and St Gabriele. The black truffle sausage in the pasta was amazing! The pizza was fresh and light, great crust. We will be back to try more.
- Walker Gantt | Google Review
2. V Modern Italian
Website: https://v.restaurant/nashville/
Address: 820 Division Street
Contact: (629) 348-3457 | [email protected]
Schedule:
- Mon-Thurs 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Fri 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Sat-Sun 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
V Modern Italian skips the traditional quiet dinner and goes straight for a vibrant, club-like atmosphere. The restaurant collaborated with Michelin-starred chef Stefano Ciotti to design a menu of house-made pastas paired with a creative cocktail list.
Born in Europe, this sprawling 7,000-square-foot venue in The Gulch starts the evening with upscale dining and ramps up the energy with weekend DJ sets. This bold vibe attracts those looking to explore the most energetic vibes of restaurants in Nashville.
You also get handy perks like three hours of complimentary parking and a pet-friendly patio with dog water bowls.
But be sure your plans are locked in before booking. Securing a table means agreeing to a strict cancellation policy. You will be charged a fee if you change or cancel your reservation less than 24 hours in advance.
Such an experience can be a bit frustrating for spontaneous diners.
Customer Reviews
We will definitely be back!
Food was insanely delicious! By far one of the best Italian restaurants. My husband is very picky with steak and he was blown away. My scampi pasta was freaking delicious. Roxy was our waitress and she was so sweet and had the best recommendations. We will definitely be back!
- summer hawkins | Google Review
Food was insane
My mom and sister recommended this place. Walking in, I could already tell it was going to be a great experience! The atmosphere is really nice. The food was insane. I had the marinara meatballs and black truffle pipette. The flavors were great and the presentations were really nice. Had the cannoli for dessert and it was a great experience with sparklers a they made it right in front of us. Prices were very good too. 10/10 experience.
- Rails of the Northeast | Google Reviews
3. Pelato Nashville
Website: https://pelatorestaurant.com/
Address: 1300 3rd Avenue North
Contact: (615) 953-0012 | [email protected]
Schedule:
- Mon-Thurs 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Fri 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sat 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Brunch) | 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM (Dinner)
- Sun 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Brunch) | 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Dinner)
Sometimes you just want to gather around a crowded table with friends and sample a dozen different flavors at once. Pelato brings a Brooklyn-style Italian vibe to Nashville, focusing on small, shareable plates.
The menu draws on the owners’ family recipes, featuring nostalgic bites like potato croquettes served in a paper bag. You can expect a relaxed space where the focus is simply on great food.
During my recent visit, tearing into their fresh gluten-free pasta while passing plates around felt exactly like a loud, festive Sunday dinner at grandma’s house.
But since you need to order multiple small portions to build a full meal, the final bill can climb pretty quickly. Grabbing enough tapas-style dishes to leave completely satisfied can easily turn a casual night out into a fairly expensive one.
Customer Reviews
Made the drive from Alabama worth it!
We had the best time at the bar! We have the absolute best diner 😍 it made the drive from Alabama worth it! Our bartenders name started with an S and she had glasses we can’t remember her exact name but she was fantastic! Definitely come enjoy this place 😍
- Blake & Kaylee Shows | Google Review
An explosion of flavors on your palate
This place is truly spectacular. We visited it today for the first time to celebrate my birthday. The service is incredible, as are all the dishes, desserts, and drinks. We would definitely come back and recommend it so you can enjoy an explosion of flavors on your palate. By the way, my English is very bad, and the waiter did an excellent job making sure communication was perfect.
- yessica martinez | Google Review
4. Maggiano’s Little Italy
Website: https://www.maggianos.com/locations/tennessee/nashville/3106-w.-end-avenue
Address: 3106 West End Avenue
Contact: (615) 514-0270 | (615) 514-0280
Schedule:
- Mon-Sat 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sun 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
When you need to feed a big family or organize a group dinner, finding a spot that handles the crowd without sacrificing flavor is key. Maggiano’s Little Italy steps up with its signature family-style service, bringing huge, shared platters right to your table.
Since they run a scratch kitchen or prepare everything from fresh, raw ingredients on-site, it’s super easy to customize dishes for different dietary needs.
You also get to dig in, surrounded by dark wood and checkered tablecloths for that classic Italian feel.
A lot of folks love the take-home specials, which let you grab a second portion for just a few extra bucks. This reliability makes them a solid pick among Nashville’s downtown restaurants for booking large parties.
But just keep in mind that the sheer size of the operation gives it a distinct chain vibe. You won’t find the intimate, quirky charm of an independent neighborhood joint here.
Customer Reviews
Great birthday celebration
Great birthday celebration. The service and the food was very good. We chose the meal for two.
We started with a Chopped and Caesar Salad. Our entrees were the Chicken Marsala and Chicken Parmesan. For dessert we had the Tiramisu.
We sat in a very comfortable booth and our waitress was very knowledgeable.
- Kinny Landrum | Google Review
Everything went so well!
Nothing went wrong with my experience here. Everything went so well! From the Antipasto to the Deserts. Magnificent! The salad is just perfectly made. Such a good amount of dressing. My favorite of the appetizer’s is the calamari. With the main course, it’s got to be the rigatoni D. And to finish it off with deserts. Wow! Bathrooms were very nice btw. Blake, our server, was very gentle with us. Making sure everything went smoothly. And assured us we were in good hands.
- FKar3 | Google Review
5. Luogo
Website: https://www.luogorestaurant.com/
Address: 211 12th Avenue South
Contact: (615) 988-8200 | [email protected]
Schedule:
- Mon-Thurs 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Fri-Sat 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Luogo leans into lighter, Mediterranean-inspired dishes guided by the veteran expertise of Chef Anthony Scotto Jr. Thanks to his New York culinary background, you get a really welcoming, high-standard dining experience right in the heart of Music City.
The kitchen is super inclusive, turning out gluten-free versions of nearly the entire menu. You can safely dig into a plate of pasta and finish the night with fried Bomboloni without worrying about dietary restrictions.
They also shake things up with weekly specials, like a bone-in veal parmesan that only hits the tables on Thursdays. So if you only visit on the weekends, you might miss out on these signature dishes.
Their prices match the prime location and upscale service, too, so it is definitely more of a splurge than a casual, everyday spot.
Customer Reviews
Great experience
The focaccia bread was delicious. The fettuccine lobster a la vodka was one of my favorites. The waiters were very attentive and kind and coursed out the menu very well. Overall great experience would highly recommend.
- Sharat Nagaraj | Google Review
We had a great night at Luogo!
Everything was phenomenal. Staff was very attentive, even through it was a pretty busy night, being the night before Valentine’s Day. Rachel in particular is amazing at her job, and we honestly could not have asked for a better server. All in all, we had a great night at Luogo!
- Asma Sayid | Google Review
